New groundbreaking research[1] - the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading - reaffirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children in Washington alongside children across the five other countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life.
As communities across Washington work to improve kindergarten readiness and early learning outcomes, the new global research study confirms that a simple, powerful tool—reading together—can make a measurable difference for young children.
The study, authored by Dr. Claire Galea, Head of Research at United Way Australia, analyzed data from more than 86,000 caregivers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. Results were compared with responses from 18,112 caregivers who were on the program compared to 37,776 whose children were not in the program.
[1] *Galea, Claire Melanie Anita (2025). The Impact of shared book reading on children and their Families: insights from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Macquarie University. Thesis. https://doi.org/10.25949/30123745.v1
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, was created over 30 years ago in honor of Dolly Parton’s father, who could not read or write. The program is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting free, high-quality, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Today, the international program mails more than 3 million books each month directly to children’s homes. Every enrolled child receives one book per month from birth to age five—at no cost to families.
In Washington, more than 85,000 children receive free monthly books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, made possible by 43 Local Program Partners working in partnership with Imagination Library of Washington during the most critical years of early brain development.
Global Findings
The study found that across all five countries evaluated, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is linked to stronger early literacy outcomes and richer reading experiences at home—helping close early literacy gaps by strengthening foundational skills, increasing the frequency of children being read to, and boosting children’s interest and engagement during shared book reading. It also shows the program builds positive family reading habits and traditions, with caregivers more likely to interact in meaningful ways (like talking about pictures and encouraging children to hold the book), reinforcing a warm, consistent home literacy environment that supports children’s learning and long-term success.
"My dream has always been to help children love books and love learning, no matter where they live. It warms my heart to know this research shows the difference a book can make.” — Dolly Parton
United States Research Highlights
- Children were 11 times more likely to be interested in books and 15 times more likely to join in during shared reading compared to children not in the program.
- Children were nine times more likely to initiate shared reading and nearly three times more likely to demonstrate concepts about print compared to children not in the program.
- Children were five times more likely to be interested in reading compared to children not in the program.
Imagination Library of Washington
Established through legislation in 2022 as the statewide program for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Imagination Library of Washington fosters the growth and sustainability of local programs by providing a 50% state match to local program partners and builds statewide partnerships to ensure families with children under age five can enroll in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
Since 2022, more than 3.96 million books have been mailed to Washington children, fueling early learning and inspiring a lifelong love of reading during the most formative years of development.
As Imagination Library of Washington enters another challenging budget year following the loss of state funding in the 2025-2027 biennium, this landmark research provides compelling evidence that the Imagination Library delivers measurable early literacy outcomes and emphasizes the profound impact that consistent access to books has on young children and their families. Restoring state funding is vital to ensuring children across Washington continue to receive books and the opportunity to build strong early literacy skills at home.
“The evidence is clear: when children have books in their homes and families read together, literacy skills grow. This research reinforces why sustained support for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is so important to ensuring children across Washington have the opportunity to build strong early learning foundations at home,” stated Imagination Library of Washington Executive Director, Brooke Fisher-Clark.
Through direct delivery of monthly books to children’s homes, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continues to deliver measurable impact worldwide, removing barriers to literacy and bringing the joy of reading to families wherever they live.
